|
Office Hours: |
Readily available by email, unless otherwise posted.
|
|
Course Meeting Times: |
Continuous - enroll at any time.
|
|
|
Course Description
This course identifies a series of laws or principles that, when activated by inattentive staff, can damage the day-to-day functioning of a residential treatment program for youth. Based on a paper published by the instructor in a professional journal, these laws are examined and their influence on treatment programs explored. The course focuses on how child care workers, supervisors and senior clinical staff unwittingly implement each law. Students will learn to recognize the symptoms and dynamics of these laws. This recognition can result in staff behavior change that, ultimately, may positively influence the behavior of youth in their charge. Students will also learn intervention techniques for those laws requiring corrective action. All practitioners in the field of child care in a residential setting can benefit from this class.
Course Requirements
Course students should be able to read and write at the high school level. Some background in nursing and/or social sciences, such as human development and psychology would be helpful, but not required. Students must have the capacity and self-discipline to study and work independently. Students are expected to write and submit four short essays regarding web-based reading assignments. There are two quizzes, one mid-term and one final. Students are also expected to to post comments in the class forum area.
Course Goals
Students will become familiar with and learn to recognize the common, counter-therapeutic pit-falls of residential treatment and, once recognized, be able to develop team-based strategies for corrective action.
Course Materials
There are no additional learning materials required.
Grading Policy
Up to 90 points will be awarded for the successful completion of course requirements, as follows: (a) four essays @ 10 points each; (b) two quizzes at 15 points each; and (c) class participation, e.g., forums, communication with instructor and fellow students can earn up to 20 points. The short essay assignments will be graded using the following criteria in their order of importance: (1) development of a point of view while demonstrating some critical thinking; (2) organization and focus; (3) use of language and sentence structure; and (4) grammar and mechanics. Final grades will be based on the following levels of achievement: 85-90 = A; 80-85 = B; 75-80 = C; 70-75 = D; -70 = F
Disclaimer
Completion of this course does not qualify the student for any required certification in the field of child and youth care.
Course Certificates
Students who achieve a 85-90 (A) grade will be entitled to a Certificate of Academic Excellence. Students who achieve a 80-85 (B) grade will be entitled to a Certificate of Outstanding Achievement. Students who achieve a 75-80 (C) grade will be entitled to a Certificate of Merit. All students who complete the course are entitled to a Certificate of Class Participation.
